I love drinking carbonated beverages — sodas, mineral waters, Prosecco, champagne — give me all the bubbles! Because of this, I was one of the first to get a Soda Stream when they came out.

At first, I loved my Soda Stream, but I soon tired of washing the bottles, and I rarely could drink the entire large bottle before it started losing fizz, so I stopped using it and eventually gave it away.

So I was skeptical when Glacier Fresh approached me about trying their SPARKIN Cold Soda and Sparkling Water Maker, but after seeing that it allowed you to make just a glass at a time, I was willing to give it a try. And I'm happy to say that it won me over.

Using the GLACIER FRESH Sparkling Water Maker

After setting the unit up on the counter, remove the water holding tank and clean it before its first use. Then fill it with water (I used filtered water) up to the line indicated on the water reservoir.

Removed the back, which easily snaps off, to screw in the CO2 container, then replace the back.

Insert the handle into the slot on the side and setup is complete. The handle is used to activate the carbonation, and is easily removable when not in use. This is a nice feature if you are limited on counter space.

To make instant sparkling water, push the button on the front of the unit to fill the front reservoir with cold water. This is an amazing feature — the machine will actually chill your water down to the temperature you like.

Once the reservoir is full, pull the handle down to activate the carbonation. You will hear it start and see indicators on the panel telling you how much carbonation you have added. I put the full amount in but I like lots of bubbles. I wish there was a button feature for this as well instead of the handle.

Now for my favorite feature — you can dispense the carbonated water into any vessel you like! I can put it directly into my regular drinking glasses rather than the dedicated bottle used by other soda makers. This is so much more convenient and allows me to make single servings of fresh, carbonated water for myself.

The SPARKIN is quite large, as you can see relative to the orange in this photo, due to the cooling unit built in, so if counter space is at a premium for you, this might not be the soda-making machine for you.

Overall, the Glacier Fresh Sparkling Water Machine performs better for me than a Soda Stream or other comparable models that require you to make an entire bottle of soda at a time.

I love that the water also comes out thoroughly chilled, a feature I haven't seen in other models. I will definitely be keeping this machine for daily use.

Pros of the Glacier Fresh SPARKIN Electric Sparkling Water Maker

Here are some of my favorite reasons why the Glacier Fresh Cold Soda Maker is a worthwhile appliance.

• Chills the water: this unit chills the water beforehand so you don't even need to use ice in your drink. The chilled beverage helps the bubbles stay around longer if you do use ice.
• Makes smaller amounts: The ability to make one glass at a time is a huge feature that prevents wasted CO2 and is a feature I never had in my previous Soda Stream machine.
• Easy to use: The Glacier Fresh Premium Electric Sparkling Water Maker is very easy to use. Simply fill the water tank, screw on the CO2 cylinder, and press the carbonation button. The machine will do the rest.
• High-quality sparkling water: The Glacier Fresh Premium Electric Sparkling Water Maker produces high-quality sparkling water. The bubbles are fine and even, and the water has a refreshing taste.
• LED display: The Glacier Fresh Premium Electric Sparkling Water Maker has an LED display that shows you the carbonation level and the temperature of the water. This is helpful for customizing your sparkling water to your liking.
• Safety features: The Glacier Fresh Premium Electric Sparkling Water Maker has a number of safety features, including a pressure relief valve and an automatic shut-off feature. Both features help to prevent accidents.

Cons of the Glacier Fresh Premium Electric Sparkling Water Maker

There are a few minor drawbacks to consider when purchasing the SPARKIN Cold Soda Maker.

• Carbonation handle: It would be a lot nicer if the large handle's function was accomplished via a button feature instead.
• Price: The Glacier Fresh Premium Electric Sparkling Water Maker is more expensive than some other sparkling water makers on the market.
• CO2 cylinders: CO2 cylinders are not included with the purchase of the machine, so you will need to purchase them separately.
• Size: The Glacier Fresh Premium Electric Sparkling Water Maker is larger than some other sparkling water makers on the market, so it may not be ideal for small kitchens.

Overall, the Glacier Fresh Premium Electric Sparkling Water Maker is a good choice for consumers who are looking for a high-quality, easy-to-use sparkling water maker.